31 December, 2013

Peppermint Pursuit

So... it was a few weeks before Christmas and I was searching for peppermint ice cream. I had already been to four grocery stores and they had none. Zero. Zilch. Nada. My only hope arose as I was checking out my few, measly, peppermint ice cream-less purchases when the checker asked me if I found everything I was looking for. "No", I responded, "I am looking for peppermint ice cream". I tried to make my voice sound desperate, I believe I succeeded because he immediately went to the customer service desk to check. Another gentleman emerged with an official-looking order book. "No", he replied, "we don't have any coming next week, but we should get an order in after Christmas". Now I am thinking "what's the point in that" but, instead, I held my tongue and asked him if he thought they'd have much call for peppermint ice cream after Christmas. He assured me that they would. Okay, what do I know? I ended up buying vanilla and it was fine served to guests with my Christmas cookie tray. It wasn't my first choice. Yesterday Mr. Goodneedle and I stopped at Coldstone for a treat; he had a birthday coupon. I ordered two scoops of Peppermint Crackle, I felt entitled! It's a blend of white peppermint ice cream with chopped York peppermint patties and crushed candy canes stirred in; it was incredibly fabulous... and, the date was December 30th! Okay, so, yeah... maybe the guy in the grocery store was right after all; peppermint ice cream might just span the seasons, ice cream this good will definitely be around at least until the New Year!

And...isn't everything better with a York peppermint patty on top?
(I know, that's a rhetorical question).

Oh heavens--no peppermint ice cream! That's just criminal! Even here in Almost the Middle of Nowhere, WA we have peppermint ice cream. We may not have other things but we have peppermint ice cream. Alas, we have no Cold Stone..aack, how am I going to celebrate my birthday?!?

I loved peppermint ice cream but dairy and I don't get along very well these days so I just have to admire it from afar. I can and do eat peppermint patties- they are one of my favorite flavors. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2014.Warmest regards,Anna